Reformation Seminary Lecture - Part 2 of Acts 1

 

Theophilus - address changes Excellency - Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

KJV The Acts of the Apostles

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Part 2 of Acts 1

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Lent 4 - "That Andrew pointed out the lad and the loaves, and yet doubted still more than Philip, signifies the teachers who wish to make the people pious and to quiet them with God’s laws; but their conscience has no satisfaction or peace in them; but only becomes continually worse, until Christ comes with his Word of grace."

 

Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent. John 6:1-5. Jesus Feeds 5000 People 

12. That Andrew pointed out the lad and the loaves, and yet doubted still more than Philip, signifies the teachers who wish to make the people pious and to quiet them with God’s laws; but their conscience has no satisfaction or peace in them; but only becomes continually worse, until Christ comes with his Word of grace. He is the one, and he alone, who makes satisfaction, delivers from sin and death, gives peace and fullness of joy, and does it all of his own free will, gratuitously, against and above all hope and presumption, that we may know that the Gospel is devised and bestowed, not through our own merit, but out of pure grace.

13. Finally, you see in this Gospel that Christ, though he held Gospel poverty in the highest esteem and was not anxious about the morrow, as he teaches in Matthew 6:34, had still some provisions, as the two hundred shillings, the five loaves and the two fishes; in order that we may learn how such poverty and freedom from care consist not in having nothing at all, as the barefooted fanatics and monks profess, and yet they themselves do not hold to it; but it consists in a free heart and a poor spirit. For even Abraham and Isaac had great possessions, and yet they lived without worry and in poverty, like the best Christians do.

Learn Dress Code from the Lutheran Leaders of Apostasy

 

"Eaton’s four emphases for the ELCA are: We are church; We are Lutheran; We are church together; We are church for the sake of the world. These four emphases are fundamental to identifying who the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is."
Thrivent/US.AID

Matt Harrison wears his chasuble, etc in Europe - nota bene.
Thrivent/US.AID

Rev. Mark Schroeder may keep his Geneva gown for the high holy days -
Packers games.
And Thrivent/US.AID

You too can join a Lutheran sect and shop at Almy's.

Midweek Lenten Service - 500 References to Sheep and Shepherds in the Bible

 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83730878526?pwd=oqtzMocqnJGtvmPJ5E1LQaKDEmMq6v.1

Tom Fisher's sheep and guard-dog.

The Hymn # 536         The Lord's My Shepherd
The Order of Vespers                                             p. 41

The Psalmody            Psalm   14                           p. 124
The Lection             John 10
  
The Sermon Hymn #179   On My Heart  

         

The Tender Nature of the Good Shepherd

      Doubtless the greatest opposition and ridicule against the Christian Faith is Jesus Himself, as the target, even though He is our Good Shepherd. One fact that we can find easily is the divine/human nature of Jesus. When He was conceived of the Virgin Mary He took on our human nature and combined it with His divine nature, which was never again changed.

     This led the opponents and the politicians to attack Him and take advantage of His humble nature, but it also teaches all of us to try to be as gentle and understanding as He was and is. He never attacked anyone but they gladly attacked Him for no reason other than their hatred and their fears. 

     We appreciate the Savior because He is the Shepherd who guides and protects us, watches over us, and nurtures us. It took about a thousand years for people to understand Psalm 23 - "The Lord is my Shepherd." I just told a student that he should go ahead with Hebrew because - for instance - that line has 4 words in Hebrew while we take 9 words in English. You can try this at home.

     Judaism held the entire Christian Faith through the Old Testament writing, so when Jesus was the sacrificial lamb in Isaiah 53, and with Isaac, and also in Psalm 22, the evidence was overwhelming. And there was so much more. Judaism became Christianity but not all the same or at once. The entire Bible has at least 500 references to sheep and shepherding, which helps us understand His role as the Shepherd and as the sheep as well. 

     Once we see the overwhelming portrayal of shepherding and sheep in God's Word, we understand how Jesus' kindness and forgiveness teaches us, to spread His Gospel and give us peace within ourselves. 

    

The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer                         p. 44

The Collect for Peace                                           p. 45

The Benediction                                                   p. 45

The Hymn #552     Abide with Me

In Our Prayers

• Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck.
• Tom Fisher is one of many farmers dealing with savage weather.
• Thursday - Reformation Seminary Lecture - Acts 1, part 2. 10 AM Central.

Ewe and lamb, Tom Fisher farm.

Luther's Condemnation of the Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic)

 

"Thus he lets us also disgrace ourselves and labor with human doctrines, that we may see and understand how necessary and precious God’s Word is and how doctrines do not help the least without God’s Word." Luther's Sermons, Lent 4

The Big Five substance is based upon ELCA, because the smaller sects are yearning to be more like their Big Angry Sister. There is not much difference. The executives who grab all the loot are more efficient if they quietly go down to the Caribbean in January and enjoy a free vacation with Thrivent. They share the same nonsense among each other because they follow the mainlines, which are even more extreme, enjoying the fruits of DEI without naming it.

WELS even has a coaching business, "training" coaches for great success and 

giving birth to more coachlings who pay to become coaches. All this is done without the Word of God because their focus is on their own fragile egos. Two coaches took laity to court for hurting their pastoral egos. The judge laughed the coachlings out of the courtroom.

Clergy training sessions deal with everything except the efficacious Word, faith in Jesus Christ, and Justification by Faith. Luther experienced the nonsense and corruption of Romanism. Now the "Lutherans" are doing their best to become priests with pretty dresses and papal scowls. I was reading some nonsense from the Ovaltines - the ALPB Online Forum. Sure enough - the author belonged to STS, Society for the Holy Trinity (in Latin). The STSians have to add their title (or shame) every time they post something near and dear to their Jesuit pope. ELDONUTs are similar, secretive and sly, the maggots of Almy.

The issue is not papal dogma or Fuller toxins, as long as they avoid the Word itself, faith in the Savior, study of the Scriptures (not the corrupted versions).

Apostasy, the life-blood of the Big Five, unites those who universally hate the actual Scriptures. They can do or say anything, as long as they avoid the core Scriptural values and embrace the corruption.

These two close friends provided a corrupt Greek New Testament for those creating the Revised Version, a disaster yes, but the corruption has continued ever since. Your sect embraces every Bible except the King James Version.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Lent 4 Laetare - "Thus he lets us also disgrace ourselves and labor with human doctrines, that we may see and understand how necessary and precious God’s Word is and how doctrines do not help the least without God’s Word."

 

Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent. John 6:1-5. Jesus Feeds 5000 People 

9. The two fishes are the example and witness of the patriarchs and prophets, who are also in the basket; for by them the Apostles confirm and strengthen their doctrine and the believers like St. Paul does in Romans 4:2-6, where he cites Abraham and David etc. But there are two, because the examples of the saints are full of love, which cannot be alone, as faith can, but must go out in exercise to its neighbor. Furthermore the fishes were prepared and cooked; for such examples are indeed put to death by many sufferings and martyrdoms, so that we find nothing carnal in them, and they comfort none by a false faith in his own works, but always point to faith and put to death works and their assurance.

10. The twelve baskets of fragments are all the writings and books the Apostles and Evangelists bequeathed to us; therefore they are twelve, like the Apostles, and these books are nothing but that which remains from and has been developed out of the Old Testament. The fishes are also signified by the number five (Moses’ books); as John 21:25 says: “Even the world itself would not contain the books that should be written” concerning Christ, all which nevertheless was written and proclaimed before in the Old Testament concerning Christ.

11. That Philip gives counsel as how to feed the people with his few shillings, and yet doubts, signifies human teachers, who would gladly aid the soul with their teachings; but their conscience feels it helps nothing. For the discussion Christ here holds with his disciples takes place in order that we may see and understand that it is naturally impossible to feed so many people through our own counsel, and that this sign might be the more public. Thus he lets us also disgrace ourselves and labor with human doctrines, that we may see and understand how necessary and precious God’s Word is and how doctrines do not help the least without God’s Word.

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Acts of the Apostles - Transition Luke to Acts - 10 AM Central

KJV - The Ending of Luke

Luke 24:49

49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

KJV The Acts of the Apostles

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

How Many Purple Palace Drones Fan Out on Sunday To Serve Small Churches?

 

Faux-bishop Matt Harrison is wearing a garment selling for $1,117 or more at Almy's.

Submerged at the Purple Palace, Matt the Fatt cannot spend his precious time preaching the Word of God instead of Walther's babbling.

The only true pastors - Latin for shepherd - are those who teach the message of Christ without watering down or rejecting His Word. The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - ridicule the office of pastor by plagiarizing the sources of the moment...and each other. They are politicians in the worst sense of the word - charlatans, bullies, and frauds.

The same Harrison, a nobody, once traveled to Otten's congregation to sing praises to the editor (to win votes), but mocked the pastor later - even though Matt fashioned himself a great leader.



If "conservative" Lutherans are alarmed at how fast their congregations are shrinking and dissolving, they only need to follow the Rev. Bishop Eaton's ELCA, where the gay lifestyle is promoted and most bishops are women.

ELCA drove so many normal men out of their seminaries that they had to have fresh recruitment drives - seminaries shriveled almost to nothing by their follies. The brand new president of United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia) was not gay enough, so they kicked her out in favor of two men in the presidential parsonage.

The money gushing into the pockets of these leaders could afford a few KJVs to study, instead of their NIV and other monstrosities. Or Luther's Sermons. 

Daily Luther Sermon Quote, Lent 4 - "This he gives to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. For Christ takes the Word out of the Scriptures; so all teachers receive it from Christ and give it to the people, by which is confirmed what Matthew 23:10 says: “For one is your master, even the Christ,” who sits in heaven, and he teaches all only through the mouth and the word of preachers by his Spirit, that is, against false teachers, who teach their own wisdom."

 

Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent. John 6:1-5. Jesus Feeds 5000 People 

4. Again, that he tells them so faithfully to gather up the fragments, teaches us to be frugal and to preserve and use his gifts, in order that we may not tempt God. For just as it is God’s will that we should believe when we have nothing and be assured that he will provide; so he does not desire to be tempted, nor to allow the blessings he has bestowed to be despised, or lie unused and spoil, while we expect other blessings from heaven by means of miracles. Whatever he gives, we should receive and use, and what he does not give, we should believe and expect he will bestow.

II. THE ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION.

5. That Christ by the miraculous feeding of the five thousand has encouraged us to partake of a spiritual food, and taught that we should seek and expect from him nourishment for the soul, is clearly proved by the whole sixth chapter of John, in which he calls himself the bread from heaven and the true food, and says: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you.” John 6:26-27. In harmony with these words we will, explain also this evangelical history in its spiritual meaning and significance.

6. First, there was much hay or grass in the place. The Evangelist could not fail to mention that, although it appears to be unnecessary; however it signifies the Jewish people, who flourished and blossomed like the grass through their outward holiness, wisdom, honor, riches etc., as Isaiah 40:6-7, says: “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.” From the Jewish people the Word of God went forth and the true food was given to us; for salvation is of the Jews, John 4:22. Now, as grass is not food for man, but for cattle; so is all the holiness of the outward Jewish righteousness nothing but food for animals, for fleshly hearts, who know and possess nothing of the Spirit.

7. The very same is taught by the people sitting on the grass; for the true saints despise outward holiness, as Paul does in Philippians 3:8, in that he counted his former righteousness to be filth and even a hindrance. Only common and hungry people receive the Word of God and are nourished by it. For here you see that neither Caiaphas nor Anna, neither the Pharisees nor the Scribes follow Christ and see Christ’s Signs; but they disregard them, they are grass and feed on grass. This miracle was also performed near the festive time of the Jewish passover; for the true Easter festival, when Christ should be offered as a sacrifice, was near, when he began to feed them with the Word of God.

8. The five loaves signify the outward, natural word formed by the voice and understood by man’s senses; for the number five signifies outward things pertaining to the five senses of man by which he lives; as also the five and five virgins illustrate in Matthew 25:1. These loaves are in the basket, that is, locked up in the Scriptures. And a lad carries them, that means the servant class and the priesthood among the Jews, who possessed the sayings of God, which were placed in their charge and entrusted to them, Romans 3:2, although they did not enjoy them. But that Christ took these into his own hands, and they were thereby blessed and increased, signifies that by Christ’s works and deeds, and not by our deeds or reason, are the Scriptures explained, rightly understood and preached.

This he gives to his disciples, and the disciples to the people. For Christ takes the Word out of the Scriptures; so all teachers receive it from Christ and give it to the people, by which is confirmed what Matthew 23:10 says: “For one is your master, even the Christ,” who sits in heaven, and he teaches all only through the mouth and the word of preachers by his Spirit, that is, against false teachers, who teach their own wisdom.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Laetare - Lent 4 - "That he now takes the five loaves and gives thanks etc., teaches that nothing is too small and insignificant for him to do for his followers, and he can indeed so bless their pittance that they have an abundance, whereas even the rich have not enough with all their riches; as Psalm 34:11 says: “They that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing; but the rich must suffer hunger.”

 

Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent. John 6:1-5. Jesus Feeds 5000 People 

LAETARE. FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT


TEXT: John 6:1-15. After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. Now the passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude cometh unto him, saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred shillings worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two fishes: but what are these among so many? Jesus said, Make the people sit down.

Now there was much grass in the place: So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus therefore took the loaves; and having given thanks, he distributed to them that were set down; likewise also of the fishes as much as they would. And when they were filled, he saith unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost. So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which remained over unto them that had eaten. When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world.

Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.


I. THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND.

1. In today’s Gospel Christ gives us another lesson in faith, that we should not be over-anxious about our daily bread and our temporal existence, and stirs us up by means of a miracle; as though to say by his act what he says by his words in Matthew 6:33: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” For here we see, since the people followed Christ for the sake of God’s Word and the signs, and thus sought the Kingdom of God, he did not forsake them but richly fed them. He hereby also shows that, rather than those who seek the Kingdom of God should suffer need, the grass in the desert would become wheat, or a crumb of bread would be turned into a thousand loaves; or a morsel of bread would feed as many people and just as satisfactorily as a thousand loaves; in order that the words in Matthew 4:4 might stand firm, that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” And to confirm these words Christ is the first to be concerned about the people, as to what they should eat, and asks Philip, before they complain or ask him; so that we may indeed let him care for us, remembering that he cares more and sooner for us than we do for ourselves.

2. Secondly, he gives an example of great love, and he does this in many ways. First, in that he lets not only the pious, who followed him because of the signs and the Word, enjoy the food; but also the slaves of appetite, who only eat and drink, and seek in him temporal honor; as follows later when they disputed with him at Capernaum about the food, and he said to them in John 6:26: “Ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves,” etc., also because they desired to make him king; thus here also he lets his sun shine on the evil and the good, Matthew 5:45.

Secondly, in that he bears with the rudeness and weak faith of his disciples in such a friendly manner. For that he tests Philip, who thus comes with his reason, and Andrew speaks so childishly on the subject, all is done to bring to light the imperfections of the disciples, and on the contrary to set forth his love and dealings with them in a more beautiful and loving light, to encourage us to believe in him, and to give us an example to do likewise; as the members of our body and all God’s creatures in their relation to one another teach us. For these are full of love, so that one bears with the other, helps and preserves what God has created.

3. "That he now takes the five loaves and gives thanks etc., teaches that nothing is too small and insignificant for him to do for his followers, and he can indeed so bless their pittance that they have an abundance, whereas even the rich have not enough with all their riches; as Psalm 34:11 says: “They that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing; but the rich must suffer hunger.” And Mary in her song of praise says: “The hungry he hath filled with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.” Luke 1:53.

Someone Has Discovered Denominations Collapsing - But Forget the Lutherans

 

Don't touch our Thrivent, our NGOs, and US.AID!

Various Sources

While circumstances vary, the March 14 AP News report highlighted a shared pattern among several groups: internal divisions and declining participation often follow moves toward more progressive positions on doctrine and culture.

The United Methodist Church, for example, lost a quarter of its U.S. congregations amid debates over the ordination and marriage of LGBT individuals. Its denominational workforce has shrunk by over a third since 2016.

**

The Episcopal Church is the most recent to announce substantial cuts to its national staff, following years of declining membership and donations, according to AP. Episcopalian Bishop Sean Rowe acknowledged the church is undergoing a transformation, noting the goal is to serve a church that is “becoming something different than it was.”

“It’s creating networks on the ground,” he told AP. “It’s paying attention to what is new and working, and lifting that up.”

**

Scott Thumma of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research credits broader societal factors, including a growing skepticism of institutions and their centralized authority.

“You have people who are still interested in spirituality, some sort of gathering around something higher than themselves, but not in these particular forms,” he told AP. “There are a lot of religious and denominational leaders who realize that, but the question is what forms or structures are going to resonate with those folks.”

GJ

How do I encapsulate so little thought from so many former denominations? They did not even touch on the Lutherans, shrinking faster than cold bacon in a hot frying pan.

When WELS uncovered its shame, the link went cold. They took three congregations and merged them into one parish with two pastors - a win! What can anyone say, except "Church Growth!" 

Best of all, the top-heavy leadership of ELCA-WELS-LCMS works together to speed up their decay with lame excuses and the financial expertise of J. P Morgan. Yes, JPM bought a phantom company for $175 million, student loans without students or loans. Remember, sports fans, the head of JP Morgan Hisself oked the deal - Dimion, or was that Demon? The WELS-ELCA-LCMS could use him in a merger where the excuses are lame and the perks exquisite. 

Here is the test they never use, though I could help them along without fear or favor:

Does the sect read the latest materials from Fuller, Willow Creek, Purpose Driven, and Hour of Power? If so, shred it.

Do we have enough pastors with guts to teach the best and most precise Bible - the King James Version?

Will we give the efficacy of the Word in the Means of Grace the center of attention?

Will we teach Justification by Faith instead of Universal Absolution aka UOJ?

Will we merge all the synod headquarters and shrink them to show how little they do? At one time the WELS headquarters was a desk with Mischke at the bottom of the stairs with his wife as secretary, at NPH.

ELCA's women bishops now outnumber the male bishops, bragging about their same-sex marriages.

Rev. Erwin progressed from university professor to ELCA bishop to president of United (in turmoil) Lutheran Seminary. His only promotion left is ELCA Archbishop.

Yale Divinity School tenured professor. "We've only just begun..."
Erwin even taught at YDS.

Oculi - The Third Sunday in Lent - 2025.

The YouTube version shows up as the latest one here.

Bethany Lutheran Church

Sunday Worship, 10 AM Central

Pastor Gregory Jackson

The Hymn #175      When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

 Introit

Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord: 

for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn Thee unto me and have mercy upon me: 

for I am desolate and afflicted.

Psalm. Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul: 

O my God, I trust in Thee; let me not be ashamed.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires 

of Thy humble servants and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty 

to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, 

Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual             Ephesians 5:1-9
The Gospel                                 Luke 11:14-28
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #376                         Rock of Ages

                      A Kingdom Divided

The Hymn #315:1-5          I Come O Savior To Thy Table

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #568                  We Praise Thee O God        

    

Norma A. Boeckler

KJV Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

A Kingdom Divided

KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.

There is an assumption today that the world is fairly neutral, with only a few who believe in Christ, a few who know about Satan, and the rest neutral or indifferent. However, the situation is like this - the few know and believe Christ while the vast majority are in a slumber ready to oppose faith when it matters to them. Jesus - as the Teacher - saw that they wanted to make fun of Him and force His power and perhaps experience their own fear.

16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth.

There can only be two Kingdoms. One Kingdom belongs to Christ alone. The other belongs to Satan. As Luther teaches in his sermon on this topic, there are no subtle variations, nuances, or divisions except for the two - Christ or Satan.

The quiet ones can imagine they are fine fellows because they do not belong to any side. But they are easily persuaded by their own wit to become hostile to the Savior - or those who talk about the Savior. Then the pitchforks get drawn out with great righteousness. One of the marks today are those who rail and scream about all the "injustice" when someone speaks about faith in Christ.

The last 50 years have seen the development of every Satanic device being used to make sure our society is "perfect." The treatment of the unborn, the babies, the children - all are Satanic in nature and well known to the elites (as they fool themselves). The stories of ancient paganism are no worse than what they promote today. We are worse because we have the instruments to be even more efficiently evil than the ancients.

18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

This is simple and clear. An individual is either with Christ or Satan. Those two verses above perfectly describe the denominations of today - mostly on Satan's side and crumbling fast. LCMS leader Matt Harrison is outraged that his sect would lose money from US.AID, as boasted through Thrivent and his "International" Center. Matt is gathering "his lawyers" now, to fight even harder for more causes of the Left. He is only echoing the threats and fury of Archbishop Liz Eaton (ELCA) who works with LCMS, Thrivent, and US.AID.

21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

Most people will agree that ancient times were bloodthirsty and horrible, just for starters. I had one book about the Roman Empire that was so vile I threw it away because of its content. Early Christians used the fish sign, scratched on the soil, to indicate the other pilgrim was a believer. One half alone meant nothing. Completing the fish sign meant in Greek - Jesus Christ Son of God Savior. 

23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

This is a warning from Jesus, that a person can be a believer and fall into even worse situations.

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

The Gospel of John warns readers about over-reaching Mary (at the Cana wedding and at the cross), and this passage is good example of that issue and Jesus' warning - "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and guard it." Not all downfalls are dramatic. Many drift into errors, especially under dynamic efforts, and find it difficult to leave that special experience.